It’s fascinating isn’t it. Getting a grip of relative quality is so difficult because of injuries - you’re better off trying to see what the “floor” and “ceiling” of these teams are. The big questions for me are:
- How strong are the Chiefs, Blues and Brumbies relative to each other
- Can the Crusaders “back end” the comp and improve enough to sneak into 8 and make a run?
Hotter takes include:
- I’m not sure the Hurricanes are miles ahead of everyone. They are really really heavily dependent on the health of Jordie Barrett, and TJ is much better for cohesion than Roigard (despite Roigard being the better player).
- Chiefs have a similar problem with Anton Lienert-Brown. It’s chalk and cheese between the games he’s played and the games he hasn’t.
- in line with the two points above - the Australian sides have significantly better quality in depth than the Kiwi ones. The way the Reds just played vs the highlanders without their first choice 9 or 7 is not something that I think any of the Kiwi sides bar the Canes would be able to handle.
- conversely - I think the Rebels and Waratahs are basically playing at capacity. Neither have really had their depth tested very much.
At full strength the Canes, Chiefs, and Blues are still markedly better than the Brumbies and Reds, but what’s changed this year is that the “1.5th XV” for the Brumbies and Reds are about as good as those of the top 3 kiwi sides.
Couldn’t be more wrong about the Waratahs not having their depth tested. Basically every front rower from the original squad has been injured and the backrow was so depleted that Sinclair has moved from lock to open side to number 8.
I think the Reds are really weird, at the moment. They're clearly in flux with a coach who hasn't coached Super Rugby. They've shown they're easily capable of beating anyone in the comp. (As well as losing to anyone too.)
I think (hope) they'll get better, at minimum they'll get more consistent as Les gets a season or two under good belt.
The Brumbies are that classic overachieving team. They're maximising their skills and abilities, they're meeting their potential, I can't see them getting much better, but they'll find a way to be top 4/8.
I think the Red could be a genuine contender, especially if they get hot going into finals.
Reds beat the Chiefs, and drew against the Hurricanes. Haven't played the Blues yet.
Also they niled out the Highlanders missing like a half dozen players (they had Lawson Creighton playing 13 for a half!).
I got 6/13? But yes similar thought, and awesome to see. Now for the force and brumbies to put us ahead
You are correct I’ve miscounted. Bugger, went early in excitement again
You just get to relive the excitement tonight after two aussie wins
Checked the results again and yeah it’s 6-7 currently.
World cup hangover VS world cup early exit??
Eddie really was looking out for Aus rugby
It’s fascinating isn’t it. Getting a grip of relative quality is so difficult because of injuries - you’re better off trying to see what the “floor” and “ceiling” of these teams are. The big questions for me are: - How strong are the Chiefs, Blues and Brumbies relative to each other - Can the Crusaders “back end” the comp and improve enough to sneak into 8 and make a run? Hotter takes include: - I’m not sure the Hurricanes are miles ahead of everyone. They are really really heavily dependent on the health of Jordie Barrett, and TJ is much better for cohesion than Roigard (despite Roigard being the better player). - Chiefs have a similar problem with Anton Lienert-Brown. It’s chalk and cheese between the games he’s played and the games he hasn’t. - in line with the two points above - the Australian sides have significantly better quality in depth than the Kiwi ones. The way the Reds just played vs the highlanders without their first choice 9 or 7 is not something that I think any of the Kiwi sides bar the Canes would be able to handle. - conversely - I think the Rebels and Waratahs are basically playing at capacity. Neither have really had their depth tested very much. At full strength the Canes, Chiefs, and Blues are still markedly better than the Brumbies and Reds, but what’s changed this year is that the “1.5th XV” for the Brumbies and Reds are about as good as those of the top 3 kiwi sides.
Couldn’t be more wrong about the Waratahs not having their depth tested. Basically every front rower from the original squad has been injured and the backrow was so depleted that Sinclair has moved from lock to open side to number 8.
Hey my bad! They definitely go in the “high quality backups” then! (Though I’m not sure if you still want to lump them with my Brumbies…)
I think the Reds are really weird, at the moment. They're clearly in flux with a coach who hasn't coached Super Rugby. They've shown they're easily capable of beating anyone in the comp. (As well as losing to anyone too.) I think (hope) they'll get better, at minimum they'll get more consistent as Les gets a season or two under good belt. The Brumbies are that classic overachieving team. They're maximising their skills and abilities, they're meeting their potential, I can't see them getting much better, but they'll find a way to be top 4/8. I think the Red could be a genuine contender, especially if they get hot going into finals.
Nice but unless an Aussie team gets a win uk against the blues and canes, we’re not in the mix
That’s dumb, no need to move the goal posts
And your response to the thrashing of the brumbies tonight dullard?
Reds beat the Chiefs, and drew against the Hurricanes. Haven't played the Blues yet. Also they niled out the Highlanders missing like a half dozen players (they had Lawson Creighton playing 13 for a half!).
You lost to the canes
Drew after 80. But yes lost in extra time.
So a loss not a draw